For those who have been to Portugal - 2 or three weeks?
Jan 30th, 2022, 11:43 AM
#61
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Hi Mel,
I just tried to respond to your PM but don't know if you received it, so I'll just post it here. This is re-"Douro on a day trip from Porto."
Glad you were able to re-book and hope that this third time is indeed the charm!
We'll be in Lisbon from March 10-19, but I'm afraid we'll miss each other!
There are many all day Porto to Douro river cruises. Some send guests up river on the cruise and back on the train. It makes for a very long day and frankly, that many hours on a boat can get rather boring for some, and you don't get the experience any of the countryside.
What *might* be more rewarding for you two could be transportation in a van, with a small group tour (or a rather pricey private tour) so that you can go to one of the amazing lookout points (miradouros) for extraordinary views, that you would miss in a boat and see the Douro on the back roads in all of its beauty.
Also the boat trips use the same formula, same places for lunch, same larger wineries that can handle bus tours and can't use the more intimate wineries that can be reached only by a small van or car. It's a more "formulaic" day. Most people enjoy it as newcomers to the Douro, but they often miss the best parts.
I do have familiarity with small group and private tours, as I've arranged them for friends.
The Douro Exclusive tours, as I've recommended on Fodor's and TA are the best, the "gold standard", but alas, the most expensive.
https://douroexclusive.com
The owners have a home in the Douro and have opened a beautiful inn, Casa do Arco, with restaurant that they now use for their guests. When I recommended them on TA, the OP (a wine collector) came back with great feedback. Their "Immersive Gold Douro Experience" does include a 1-hour rabelo boat ride from Pinhão, that for most, is usually enough of the boat experience.
Their tours can be small group or private, but small group is less expensive, obviously.
LAB Portugal is their competitor but I haven't used them----private tours only.
https://labportugaltours.com/tour/wine-tour/
I sent a couple who wanted a less expensive experience on the Cool Tours Oporto "Douro" Wine & Tradition" tour.
http://www.thecooltours.com/tour/douro-wine-tour/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...-Porto_Po.html
It's priced at 105 euros/p with lunch and 1 hr. boat ride included.
Cool Tours Oporto also has a Guimarães/Braga tour that I've used.
As for specific cellars, most small group tours won't allow participants to choose but instead rely on the same ones. If you have specific cellars on your wish list (the stunning Quinta do Crasto, for example, which usually needs a 2 month lead time for booking), it's best to go with a private experience and book ASAP. Crasto picks guests up at the train station in tiny Ferrão, midway between Régua & Pinhão for those who want to take the train from Porto. They offer a traditional lunch in their private dining room in the mansion after the tour.
Douro Exclusive may be able to arrange a visit here if given enough lead time. If not, they will take you to an equally fine cellar or two.
I've visited 15 cellars in the Douro, so if you need more specific info, just let me know.
Hope this helps.
Maribel
I just tried to respond to your PM but don't know if you received it, so I'll just post it here. This is re-"Douro on a day trip from Porto."
Glad you were able to re-book and hope that this third time is indeed the charm!
We'll be in Lisbon from March 10-19, but I'm afraid we'll miss each other!
There are many all day Porto to Douro river cruises. Some send guests up river on the cruise and back on the train. It makes for a very long day and frankly, that many hours on a boat can get rather boring for some, and you don't get the experience any of the countryside.
What *might* be more rewarding for you two could be transportation in a van, with a small group tour (or a rather pricey private tour) so that you can go to one of the amazing lookout points (miradouros) for extraordinary views, that you would miss in a boat and see the Douro on the back roads in all of its beauty.
Also the boat trips use the same formula, same places for lunch, same larger wineries that can handle bus tours and can't use the more intimate wineries that can be reached only by a small van or car. It's a more "formulaic" day. Most people enjoy it as newcomers to the Douro, but they often miss the best parts.
I do have familiarity with small group and private tours, as I've arranged them for friends.
The Douro Exclusive tours, as I've recommended on Fodor's and TA are the best, the "gold standard", but alas, the most expensive.
https://douroexclusive.com
The owners have a home in the Douro and have opened a beautiful inn, Casa do Arco, with restaurant that they now use for their guests. When I recommended them on TA, the OP (a wine collector) came back with great feedback. Their "Immersive Gold Douro Experience" does include a 1-hour rabelo boat ride from Pinhão, that for most, is usually enough of the boat experience.
Their tours can be small group or private, but small group is less expensive, obviously.
LAB Portugal is their competitor but I haven't used them----private tours only.
https://labportugaltours.com/tour/wine-tour/
I sent a couple who wanted a less expensive experience on the Cool Tours Oporto "Douro" Wine & Tradition" tour.
http://www.thecooltours.com/tour/douro-wine-tour/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...-Porto_Po.html
It's priced at 105 euros/p with lunch and 1 hr. boat ride included.
Cool Tours Oporto also has a Guimarães/Braga tour that I've used.
As for specific cellars, most small group tours won't allow participants to choose but instead rely on the same ones. If you have specific cellars on your wish list (the stunning Quinta do Crasto, for example, which usually needs a 2 month lead time for booking), it's best to go with a private experience and book ASAP. Crasto picks guests up at the train station in tiny Ferrão, midway between Régua & Pinhão for those who want to take the train from Porto. They offer a traditional lunch in their private dining room in the mansion after the tour.
Douro Exclusive may be able to arrange a visit here if given enough lead time. If not, they will take you to an equally fine cellar or two.
I've visited 15 cellars in the Douro, so if you need more specific info, just let me know.
Hope this helps.
Maribel
Jan 30th, 2022, 02:32 PM
#62
Thanks Maribel - there are just so many options; I guess we need to just think of this as our 'first trip' and plan accordingly. I'll look into your suggestions.
I need to re-read this entire thread as so much time has passed since I started it.
I need to re-read this entire thread as so much time has passed since I started it.
Jan 30th, 2022, 03:21 PM
#63
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Thanks a ton maribel, am bookmarking your recommendations. We were supposed to be in Portugal in May 2920, then Sept/Oct 2021, hopefully we’ll make it in 2023…
mel, best wishes for your trip, may it cne through at last..!
mel, best wishes for your trip, may it cne through at last..!
Jan 31st, 2022, 03:39 AM
#64
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Hi Maribel,
Thanks for posting the Douro recommendations here. The way our itinerary looks, whenever we'll end up going we'll have an extra day in Porto, and I'm debating between a day drip to Douro, Giumaraes or birding. I knew about the long bus/boat option and that was unattractive....thanks for the other options.
Thanks for posting the Douro recommendations here. The way our itinerary looks, whenever we'll end up going we'll have an extra day in Porto, and I'm debating between a day drip to Douro, Giumaraes or birding. I knew about the long bus/boat option and that was unattractive....thanks for the other options.
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